Plant-based Homesteading and Sustainable Living

A Retraction

I’ve been feeling like a total ingrate all day for my little rant about the house last night, because I’m ecstatic that we were actually able to buy anything here, let alone something that’s cute (in spite of it’s aforementioned flaws) and in a nice neighborhood. Had we waited another 3 months to get into the market, we never would have been able to swing it.So I would like to recant those nasty things I said about our home, and mention a few of the things I love about it.

First off are the hardwood floors that run throughout the house (including under the vinyl in the kitchen), which we unearthed from under decades old carpet and my husband carefully sanded and sealed.I love the coved ceilings in the living room…

…the glass knobs on the doors (something I always wanted)…

…and the mouldings around the doors and windows.

Other favorite things include the beadboard panelling in the back porch, the peek-a-boo views of the mountains, and my garden.

So it would seem that the leak in the roof might not be as much of an issue as we thought (fingers crossed madly!). The shingles are still as tight as a drum, so we think that last night’s wind storm was probably blowing the slush and water from the flat roof, up and under the transition to the sloped roof. At least, it’s been raining non-stop since this afternoon and there doesn’t seem to be a problem anymore. I guess our roof just wasn’t prepared for rain that flows upward.

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8 thoughts on “A Retraction”

I miss the glass doorknobs from my grandparents house! You do have a charming house (and please, keep that snow! we were at near 70* here yesterday (!!!) in NH) of course I’m excited to see this ecohouse you wish to build 😉

Hang in there. Remember you can fix the house but where it is planted is permanent. If you like were you live then well….that’s what countsBUT I know from where you come. We have had to replace all wiring and most plumping in the house—which was not what we expected to have to do. That in regards to some of the other things. I will post pictures some day and you will see what I mean–think rotted deck, red shag carpet(on walls) and toilets about to fall through floors. It’s a long road BUT I love were I live. Well, unless I could live where you are—that I would love more:-)Because of land prices having gone up—we too wouldn’t have what we do if we had waited much longer so I can appreciate the bad things (most of the time). Good Luck!

Cheryl, I knew it!!! There has to be charm in an old (sometimes frustrating) house. GRIN. We live in an 87 year old house, midwest Illinois. We too have glass doorknobs and honest-to-goodness solid wood doors inside the house. We should probably get a new I-Beam as the house is settling (so would I at age 86!). I also want to say that it looks like you live in an unbelievably scenic location. Apparently, I must add Western Canada to my travel wish list, eh?

Steph – 70 degrees in January!? That’s like the perfect early summer day!I’ll keep you posted on the dream house. 🙂

Monica – You are so sweet. Vancouver is a pretty amazing place to live, but we’ve never wanted to be in the city (it was only supposed to be for two years, but that was 11 years ago).I can’t wait to see that red shag carpet!

Carla – I love wood floors too, I don’t think I could ever have carpet again.

Lu – I think my I-beam is settling. 😀BC is a gorgeous place, sometimes I can’t believe how lucky we are to live here. Definitely add it to your list!

Beth – You’re right – it can be hard to maintain perspective when things are self-destructing around you. But most of the time it’s great!

One thing to consider is that the construction industry is one of the most wasteful and least-green ones out there. (This from an architect who builds houses now!) So recycling a house is a good thing. If your house isn’t cutting it for your long-term needs, then getting another one that does may be in the cards for you…doesn’t have to be soon, doesn’t have to be gigantic, or even new. But you are right: the things you listed a couple of days are expensive, and may tip the scales toward finding a new old house for you to fix up. And in the interim, however long that interim is, you certainly can appreciate your house’s architectural charm.

(Me? I’m on my second old house rehab. It’s the only way to get what I need (size, charm, and yes, a cheap price).)

El – I definitely see the benefit of “recycling” an old house, which is one of our main reasons for doing it (I have visions of us converting dozens of old homes into energy efficient ones so that unsuspecting buyers are forced into green living without even knowing it!).Sometimes those dreams of starting from scratch and doing things exactly how you’d like it take over, I guess.So you weren’t scared off after redoing your first house? That gives me hope!